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Okla. health department urges rabies precautions

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Health officials in Oklahoma are urging residents to take precautions to protect themselves and their pets from rabies by having their pets vaccinated.Oklahoma rules and regulations require that a veterinarian vaccinate dogs, cats and ferrets against rabies by the time the animal is 4 months old. Rabies vaccines are also available and are recommended for horses, sheep and cattle.The state Health Department reports 41 cases of rabies in Oklahoma thus far in 2013. The cases include 25 skunks, nine cows, five dogs, one horse and one fox.Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.